Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution (HJ 6) is a symbolic statement by Maryland's General Assembly expressing support for nuclear disarmament efforts. It formally joins 73 other jurisdictions (including seven states and over 75 counties/municipalities) that have passed similar "Back from the Brink" resolutions. The resolution urges Maryland's U.S. Congressional delegation to cosponsor a federal resolution supporting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and the five key policies of the Back from the Brink initiative (like ending hair-trigger alerts and ending first-use nuclear policies). It also calls on the U.S. President and Senate to endorse the international treaty banning nuclear weapons. As a resolution, it has no legal effect but serves as a formal position statement.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 880 repeals Maryland's ban on outdoor cannabis advertising, specifically removing the prohibition against placing ads on building sides, billboards, or other publicly visible locations (currently under Section 36-903(a)(v)). This change directly affects cannabis businesses seeking to use traditional outdoor signage for marketing. The bill maintains existing restrictions, such as age verification for websites, prohibitions on targeting minors, and requiring 85% adult audiences for digital ads. The repeal takes effect October 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 818 allows courts to award reasonable attorney fees and expenses to winning plaintiffs who sue to correct violations of rights protected by Maryland's Constitution or Declaration of Rights (e.g., cases against state agencies or local governments). It also permits fees to winning defendants only if the plaintiff's case was filed in bad faith or without legal basis. Courts must use factors from Maryland Rule 2-703(F)(3) to determine fees, and the law explicitly overrides standard fee limits under Maryland's Tort Claims Act for these cases. The bill applies only to cases filed after its October 1, 2025, effective date.
Maddy summaryHB 709 allows Maryland counties to adopt local laws requiring landlords to have a valid "good cause" reason (like nonpayment or lease violations) to evict tenants or refuse lease renewals, rather than allowing no-cause evictions. If a county adopts such a law, landlords must disclose in writing whether they are subject to it and provide specific ownership details (including property counts) using forms developed by the state Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs. The bill also mandates that landlords include this disclosure in leases and court filings related to evictions. This applies only to tenants and landlords in counties that choose to implement these local protections, not statewide.
Maddy summaryHB 941 requires the Governor to include at least $5 million annually in the state budget for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) starting in fiscal year 2027, continuing until a total of $321,181,312 is appropriated. This addresses a historical funding disparity identified by the state legislature, where UMES (as Maryland’s 1890 land-grant institution) received less per-student state funding than UM College Park (the 1862 land-grant institution) from 1987-2020. Funds must be supplemental to existing appropriations and can be used for infrastructure, faculty, scholarships, or other institutional needs identified by UMES. The bill aims to fully remedy the $321 million shortfall over time through mandatory annual appropriations.
Maddy summaryHB 1435 prohibits Maryland police officers from affiliating with, supporting, or advocating for white supremacist groups, ideologies, or causes, or participating in FBI-designated extremist groups that promote illegal violence. It defines such groups as those promoting white superiority, racial hatred, or violence against Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). The Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission must enforce this ban, which takes effect October 1, 2025. The law directly affects all current and future Maryland police officers.
Maddy summaryHB 1422 establishes the Maryland Reparations Commission to study and recommend benefits for individuals whose ancestors were enslaved in Maryland or were impacted by historical inequitable government policies (such as housing segregation and redlining during the Jim Crow era). The Commission, composed of 15 members including state officials, historians, community representatives, and public members, will examine U.S. reparations models and potential benefits like monetary compensation, tax rebates, or housing assistance. It must submit a preliminary report by January 2027 and a final report by November 2027 to the Governor and General Assembly. The bill focuses solely on research and recommendations, not on implementing specific reparations.
Maddy summaryHB 1044, the Maryland Voting Rights Act of 2025, requires certain local governments (cities, counties, or county school boards meeting specific criteria) to obtain preclearance from the Attorney General or Anne Arundel County Circuit Court before enacting or implementing "covered policies." These policies include election methods, redistricting, voter registration rules, polling place locations, and other significant voting-related changes. The bill targets jurisdictions with a history of voting rights violations, significant racial voting disparities, or large protected-class populations. It mandates that these governments submit proposed changes for review to ensure they do not discriminate before implementation. The law also prohibits voter intimidation or obstruction and allows legal action if the review process fails.
Maddy summaryHB 1043, the Maryland Voting Rights Act of 2025, requires local election offices and municipalities to provide public notice before changing voting procedures that could impact protected classes (like racial minorities or voters with disabilities). It mandates 15 days’ notice for meetings considering changes to voting policies (e.g., polling locations, language assistance, or disability access) and 48 hours’ notice after adopting such changes. The bill prohibits local governments from implementing voting changes that create disparities in voting access for protected classes and allows affected individuals to file lawsuits to enforce the law. Remedies for violations require approval from the Attorney General, and the State Board of Elections must maintain a public notice website for all changes.
Maddy summaryHB 898 removes an exemption that previously allowed rental vehicles to be exempt from Maryland's vehicle excise tax. The bill specifies that rental vehicles will now be taxed at 3.5% of their fair market value (down from the standard 6% rate for most vehicles), directly affecting rental car companies operating in Maryland. This change takes effect July 1, 2025, and modifies existing tax code sections to reflect the new rate for rental vehicles. The policy change removes a prior tax exemption, making rental vehicles subject to the excise tax.